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metformin withdrawal

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val armstrong

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Type 2
Hi can anyone help me please? I've decided to come off metformin for a while, I want to see if I can manage my diet more on my own, as soon as I was diagnosed I was put onto metformin however I would like to know if there would be any side affects. I stopped taking it aprox 1wk ago.
 
You really shouldn't do this without the support of your doctor. I would strongly suggest you talk to your GP or DSN about this as soon as possible. If your HbA results have come down then they may well let you try it. However, if it's because the metformin isn't working for you or is producing nasty side effects, there are alternatives you could try. Either way, you really need to talk to them as soon as you can.

As for the side effects, I only had them when I was on the stuff but they went away when I was taken off it again.
 
I would agree Alison, coming off metformin without good advice is not a good move, with out discussing it with a doctor or DN.

They may well let you do it, when my meds were changed, I had a HbA1c test (already done) other wise would of done another one due to problems. Then after a while had another test to see what effect the med change had done to the HbA1c levels.
 
Thank you, your right I should speak to them but I feel as though I wasn't given any choice but to take the tablets my readings have gone down from between 11-14 down to 5-6. I asked about taking readings or diet first but was told no just take them and it should work ok! So just wonderd if I should try, i've had dizzy spells for a couple of days and wonderd if coming off them was the cause but thanks I you're right I should speak to them - thank you
 
val armstrong said:
Thank you, your right I should speak to them but I feel as though I wasn't given any choice but to take the tablets my readings have gone down from between 11-14 down to 5-6. I asked about taking readings or diet first but was told no just take them and it should work ok! So just wonderd if I should try, i've had dizzy spells for a couple of days and wonderd if coming off them was the cause but thanks I you're right I should speak to them - thank you
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Val, it sounds like you've made great progress so hopefully the doctor will agree to let you try without the medication for a trial period. Is it just the medication itself you are not keen on, or are you getting side-effects? Some people find that a slow-release version of metformin is kinder on their digestive system 🙂
 
Yeah its the thought of taking the tablet when I don't feel any different to how I felt before, also theres my weight creeping up slightly I've put on 7lbs since september so think if I wasn't on it I would have to manage my diet better what do you think?
 
Hi Val, did you know that metformin is sometimes prescribed to overweight non-diabetics because it can help with weight reduction? Dunno what that adds to the mix! 🙂
 
There are a number of medical conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure etc) that do not have much of an apparent effect on the way you feel until they are fairly well developed. A lot of T2 diabetics are diagnosed without any apparent symptoms. Similarly a lot of drugs will not make you feel any different. Unless your metformin affects your stomach you may not 'feel' any different, but that doesn't mean you should stop taking them. Your ability to lose weight will be aided by metformin, but it is up to you to adjust your diet and exercise to achieve weight loss. The metformin will assist your body, especially the muscles to use the fuel supply in your body. If you don't reduce your food intake and don't exercise then you will put on weight.
If you fail to loose weight then I suggest you speak to your GP about fat blocking drugs or some other treatment (good luck on that one).
In general you should always consult your GP before stopping any course of drugs.
 
Val, don't just come off it by yourself.

I was also put straight onto Metformin after diagnosis and wasn't happy about it but I lost a load of weight, subsequent blood tests showed my numbers going down, down, down so after 3 years I asked if the dosage could be reduced. Doc said to stop completely and see what happens - figures have gone down again although some weight has crept back on.

Depending on the dosage, I was on 2 x 500mg per day, you may need to reduce gradually.

Make an appointment with your doc and discuss it. That is what he/she is there for.
 
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